​Hen's Day Out

You first need to work out how many people your friend wants to invite, and whether alcohol is necessary. Both a large number of people and the requirement for alcohol will add significantly to the expense. If you can get away with just a few friends, then why not consider a hen's day out, rather than a party. For my hen's day I went out with a few friends and we had a pamper day at one of the beauty school. It was great fun, and a fraction of the price of going to a normal salon. Each girl paid for her own treatments (and lunch at a nearby cafe) although they also all put in to shout me (the hen). If it's a party you want, and you don't want to pay for alcohol but are worried what people will think - what about doing a brunch? People won't expect alcohol that early in the day, saving you heaps of money. You can easily put together a great spread - if you can borrow a waffle-maker then waffles always go down a treat, especially with ice-cream and berries (a bit of an expense out of season, I know, but they add a feeling of luxury and you can pad them out with generic-brand tinned berries, which also add a nice syrup). If you can't do waffles there's always pancakes, or bacon and eggs (the BBQ can be used if you need to cook a lot at once) - the possibilities are endless. Fresh fruit and some quality juices (or squeeze your own) add a nice, healthy touch, and if you can borrow a fancy coffee-maker you'll be even more popular. For entertainment you can always put on a chick-flick, or provide a pile of chick-mags for the girls to flick through and laugh over (borrow from the library or ask a friend with a subscription to bring over old issues). If that's not enough, how about giving each other manicures, or getting a mobile beauty therapist to do mini-manis for everyone. I did this for my sister's hen's party and it was more affordable than I had expected.​- Contributed by Christie Johnson, 19th July 2010

​Pyjama Hens

Instead of renting a house - stay at one of the bridesmaids' or friends' house for a sleep over pyjama party. Coordinate the food - everyone bring a plate of food that they enjoyed at parties when they were young. Also coordinate the drinks - either to make a cocktail or wine and cool drinks etc. You can have fun games - use your imagination to change the childhood games to fit into a wedding hens night. Good luck and have a fun time.​- Contributed by Evelyn Tempany, 18th July 2010

​Choose a Favourite Restaurant

You could go to a restaurant that has a package including food and unlimited drinks, like Spanish Tapas in Glebe. They also have flamenco dancers. http://www.spanishtapas.com.au/index.htm or Mykonos on Pitt St or they have another restaurant in Parramatta and include plate smashing. http://mykonosoncrown.com.au/php/hens.php
- Contributed by Anita Whittingham, 16th July 2010
Websites:
www.spanishtapas.com.au/index.htm
​mykonosoncrown.com.au/php/hens.php

​Have a Weekend Long Hen's Party

If you are happy with your friends suggestion of renting a house by the beach, you can always advertise to swap your house (or one of your friends) for the weekend with someone who has a beach house. This way you are not outlaying money for the rental. Make the party a weekend affair and plan some activities with your friends. Have your friends bring something to contribute to the festivities. Several of them could bring the alcohol, others could supply the food. Sometimes hospitality training schools provide catering at a much reduced rate than regular caterers, so this might be worth exploring. There is bound to be someone you know (or your friends know) who can provide you with a van to transport all your guests. Organise pampering sessions with your friends - either doing the manicures, facials and massages yourself, or hire a mobile therapist to keep the costs down. Karaoke can be a lot of fun. There are lots of Sing Star music that can be utilised or take your own music to sing along to. Check out cheap or free activities in the area where you will be. You will be surprised at the things you might be able to do - paintballing, horse riding, checking out local historical sites (museums or art galleries as well) or a simple walk or picnic with your friends can be a lot of fun. There are plenty of Hens Party games on the net if you are stuck for ideas. Good luck and I'm sure you will have a lot of fun.​- Contributed by Leanne Matthews,16th July 2010

​Have a Pamper Party

I have heard a lot of girls have a pamper party for their hens night. You can ring up Nutrimetics and they will come out and have a face pamper or foot spa. Just discuss with the consultant, they have lots of ideas and it costs nothing. If they get sales it's a bonus. It's a win-win situation, you can hold it at someone's house (so no cost there) and all the girls could arrange some sort of event within the evening. The bride will remember this night held with her special friends forever. Ideas to have on the night include a makeup demo, foot spa, movie night with chocolates and champagne, dress and shoe swap night with all the festive drinks and nibbles etc, you could hire a spa, play games, watch a DVD. All of the these on the one night would be easy to do if each attendant opted for one job.​- Contributed by Elaine Chapman, 16th July 2010

​Play Children's Games, Laugh and Have Fun

As my daughter's hens night involved many different ages, nationalities and cultures, we had a party at my home. A person from each culture brought a dish of their own country's cuisine. We played many old children's party games, musical chairs, pin-the-bowtie-on-the-groom, pass-the-parcel (with each unwrapping being a piece of clothing bought at an Op shop which then had to be put on) with much hilarity. We also hired the services of a Mendi artist who came and drew henna tattoos on anyone who wanted one (85 year old Nanna had an arm bracelet drawn on and loved it). It was a brilliant night filled with interest and laughter. My daughter's friends, four years on, are still talking and laughing over it.​- Contributed by Judy Lee, 16th July 2010

​Remember, It's the Bride's Party

Just remember one thing... it's YOUR Hen's party. I have never been married, so my idea is something I would probably do. Kick your "future husband" out for the weekend (which I'm sure he wouldn't mind) and have your Hen's night/weekend at home. You will save on renting a house at the beach and be in the comfort of your own home. You could have your party on the Friday night for "everyone". On the Saturday / Saturday night you can order in take-away or if you love cooking, have a cook off with those few special girlfriends. Sit back, relax, drink, watch movies... or have an "at home pampering party". Do it yourself or a couple of websites I found that specialise in this are www.mobilepamperingparties.com.au or www.spa-angels.com.au There are so many options out there for you to chose from. Just remember to do what you want to do and what reflects you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and all the best for your Hen's party.- Contributed by Emma Gilchrist,16th July 2010Websites: www.mobilepamperingparties.com.au​www.spa-angels.com.au

​Hens Day Out

​Why not have an indulgent girls day out. Book in for you and your friends to get manicures and pedicures at a beauty training college in your local city - you'll get all your treatments at a heavily discounted price. After all that pampering, you'll probably be hungry, so visit a training restaurant at a culinary college for a beautiful meal at an unbeatable price. Everyone will have a great time, and you can put all the money you save towards something else like your wedding flowers or honeymoon. - Contributed by Sophia Gibson, 16th July 2010

​Have a Recipe Party for the Bride

I had a 'recipe party.' Family and friends were asked to write down a favourite recipe to pass on to the bride and to make the recipe and bring it along. It was such a great way of including family and friends (and a fantastic feast). Have a scrapbook or display book with plastic pockets ready to put all the recipes in.​- Contributed by Monika, 15th July 2010

​Book a Backpacker's Dorm and Celebrate for the Weekend

Renting a house may be out of the budget. If your friend wants to go away, how about organizing something at a backpackers? Backpackers can provide a cheap place to say, if you book it all together you can have your own dorm from around $20-30 each a night. There's usually someplace that you can all sit together and have a few drinks and get ready and the guests will be able to spend more time out of the house seeing wherever you choose to stay. A group of friends and I did this when we went to Margaret River to allow for more money spent on the wine tours and the wine. You can try www.yha.com.au​- Contributed by Kiri Janks, 15th July 2010​Website: www.yha.com.au

​House Swap for a Beach Hens Party

If your friend really wants a house on the beach, perhaps suggest house swapping with someone for the weekend. Best if you both know the person you swap with for safety reasons. Try house sitter searches and follow safety advice. The other option is bunking down in a hotel with your camping beds so you can split the hotel bill more. Regarding alcohol, think wisely when it comes to buying wine or alcohol as a special purpose drink. It goes in as liquid, makes you silly and comes out as liquid! Funny games can bring out the silliness and taking turns at foot and hand massages can help you relax, so can a good movie hired and a box of chockies. As a drink recipe to share responsibly, try this good old Tupperware recipe, its very girly. One bottle of Champagne, one litre of Sunshine Punch drink (or Passiona) and one litre of vanilla ice cream. Soften ice cream and mix in cold drinks one at a time. It's yum, cheap, makes plenty. Have a great time!​ - Contributed by Olivia Mills, 15th July 2010

​Try a Real Tradition

Hen's parties seem to be a new, expensive 'tradition' which the wedding industry has invented! Try a real tradition instead - gathering together with close friends to make a quilt for the couple getting married. This needs a bit of coordination (colour range, block size for the quilt) but the result is hopefully a unique gift which will be treasured. Better still, everyone bring a plate or a bottle of wine to share. Still want the beach? Combine the above with a beach picnic!​- Contributed by Cate Valpiani, 15th July 2010

​Create Your Own Entertainment

Check out what skills you all have and create your own entertainment. For example, some of you may be in certain professions like beauty therapist, nail technician etc. Maybe none of you are in this area but have some skills anyway. Someone could paint everyone's nails - someone do fingers, someone do toes (everyone brings nail polish from home to share). Someone could do mini facials (again, bring stuff from home to share). Someone could do mini neck and shoulder massages (each person brings along their fav massage oil or body cream to use). Perhaps someone knows how to belly dance and can give you all a lesson (great for a laugh). Maybe someone is great at craft and you can all make something. Perhaps do all of the above. Find out from all guests what skills they have and work your entertainment out from there. As far as food goes, you can all decide what you all want for dinner and everyone brings an ingredient or two to make the dinner and dessert and you all cook together. Same for drinks, everyone brings a bottle and you can share and make up all sorts of cocktails. Again, find out what suits most so you have something to work with. To save on the house, perhaps have an adult sleepover at one of the guest's homes or perhaps because you've saved on all the above, you can then just pool resources for an overnight stay in a holiday house. You can quite often get a large home for just the night, divided by everyone going works out to be very cheap. Have fun whatever you do!
​- Contributed by Rachael Campbell, 15th July 2010